[Episode 41] How Executive Teams Create Competitive Advantage Through Culture

Darlene Hunter, Vice President and Head of Human Resources at Eastridge, demonstrates how culture can become a true competitive advantage. She connects belonging, clear expectations, and development to productivity, retention, and profitability. Darlene explains why leaders must speak the language of EBITDA while practicing empathy and accountability. She closes with a challenge to define, test, and live an authentic culture of care.

“Culture shapes the environment, and when people feel respected, valued, welcome, and belong, they will produce more. They will move a mountain for you. We all know that it is the people who drive the business, and that is why it is critically important to invest in their well-being. The heart of a company is the people.” – Darlene Hunter

Darlene shares a clear charge to leaders. She defines what culture should stand for, she tests it through everyday behaviors, and she lives it consistently across teams. She shows that when belonging is built, expectations are clear, and development is prioritized, culture becomes a dependable engine for productivity, client success, and sustainable growth.

Key Takeaways

• Belonging and clarity drive retention and produce stronger performance.
• Culture connects to EBITDA and measurable executive-level outcomes.
• Empathy with accountability improves results across growing organizations.